The VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) Seattle offers two post-MD fellowship training programs funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations; one in ambulatory care and the other in health services research. Both programs operate in conjunction with the Division of General Internal Medicine and the Department of Health Services at the University of Washington. There are two new positions available in each program each year.

The primary focus of both programs is the development of research skills. Participants apply these skills by completing a publishable research project by the end of two years of training. They also enhance their clinical skills in ambulatory care and develop abilities necessary to assume academic faculty positions in medicine or other primary care disciplines. Approximately 15% of the fellows' time is devoted to clinical care. Although most fellows complete their training in two years, a third year of funding is available.

A large portion of the training takes place in the classroom. Emphasis is placed on interactive teaching, one-on-one mentorship, and peer interaction. Through planned activities such as journal clubs and weekly seminars, fellows are encouraged to contribute to and benefit from each others' experiences and knowledge. Fifty-five physicians have received training in these programs. Over 90% of program graduates have pursued academic careers.    

Mentorship is an integral part of both fellowships. Primary faculty and research mentors are the members of the Section of General Internal Medicine and the staff of the Northwest Health Services Research and Development Center of Excellence, VAPSHCS

Faculty in these two areas work closely together.  Other faculty are drawn from the University of Washington (UW) Division of General Internal Medicine, the UW School of Public Health, and the UW Department of Medical History and Ethics.

The faculty provides expertise in numerous areas of interest, including occupational medicine, emergency medicine, cardiovascular epidemiology, doctor-patient interaction and compliance, health care delivery, quality of care, medical ethics, health policy, cost effectiveness, medical decision-making, physician education, geriatrics, prevention, and ambulatory care. The program includes a weekly seminar series and works-in-progress sessions.

Starting salaries are competitive and depend upon the number of years of postgraduate training. In addition to salary, monetary support for fellows' research projects is often available through the HSR&D Center of Excellence. Other support includes office space, administrative assistance, a personal microcomputer, word processing and database management software, statistical consultation and analysis, access to VA and UW mainframe computers, Internet access, and unlimited access to bibliographic searching. 

The VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle is a tertiary care center located approximately seven miles from the main campus of the University of Washington, with which it maintains a close affiliation. The VA Fellowship Program is closely integrated with other successful fellowship programs such as the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program and National Research and Services Administration (NRSA) Fellowship at the University of Washington.

VA fellowships are also closely allied with other University of Washington programs, including those offered by the School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Fellows usually enroll in one of the postgraduate degree programs available through the School of Public Health. Courses include a wide variety of offerings in epidemiology, biostatistics, health services, health administration, and environmental health. Although tuition is not automatically provided, various types of financial support may be available. Fellows may also audit courses without charge.

The University of Washington has close ties with a broad array of health-related facilities in the area, including Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, and several other major hospitals; all of which offer potential sources of collaboration and resources.

Candidates must hold an M.D. or equivalent degree and be board eligible in Internal Medicine, Neurology, or Psychiatry.

For information concerning the application process please contact:

Emily Hart  
Administrator, Postdoctoral M.D. Fellowship Program 
HSR&D Center of Excellence
1100 Olive Way, Suite 1400 
Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: (206) 764-2651

September 1 is the application deadline for fellowships beginning July 1 of the following year.

If you wish to be considered for a degree program at the University of Washington School of Public Health, you must file a separate application. Acceptance for the fellowship does not guarantee acceptance to the degree program, and vice versa. For further information for the degree programs, write to:

Graduate Admissions
Box 351280
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
Telephone: (206) 543-5929 or visit  http://www.washington.edu/students/grad/adminfo.html